Transgenerational Effects of High Salt Diet During Gestation

Abstract

IntroductionThe influence of high salt intake during gestation on the offspring was observed in several studies. It is also known that a phenotype can be transmitted from one generation to the next one without alterations in the DNA sequence. Based on this knowledge, we hypothesized that the effects of high salt ingestion during pregnancy can be transmitted to generations F2 and F3. Therefore, gene expression and DNA methylation of some components of RAS system as well as gene 11beta‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11βHSD), involved in glucocorticoid conversion, were evaluated.Material and MethodsFemale Wistar rats were fed with normal (N) or hight (H) salt diet during pregnancy. Afterwards, all animals were fed with N, until the third generation. Body and organ mass, gene expression (RT‐qPCR) and methylation (High Resolution Melting – in progress), were evaluated in three generations of males.Resultsdata presented as mean±SEM. TableNo differences between H and N were observed in AT1a, ACE (angiotensin conversion enzyme) and HSD11β2 DNA methylation in the kidney of F1.DiscussionHigh salt intake during pregnancy has a transgenerational effect on kidneys, testis and white adipose tissue growth. The gene expressions that were evaluated were influenced by the maternal dietary salt content in a variable manner in the offspring along three generations.Support or Funding InformationThis study was supported by FAPESP (2012/22415‐5, 2012/22801‐2) Variable \ Generation FI F2 F3 Body weight (g) N 458.8±8.64 492.7±11.03 455.1±11.75 H 438.1±8.54 464.3±7.86* 475.4±8.54 Right kidney mass (g/100g BW) N 0.32±0.004 0.33±0.008 0.33±0.005 H 0.36±0.007* 0.35±0.004* 0.34±0.005* Left kidney mass (g/100g BW) N 0.33±0.007 0.32±0.007 0.33±0.005 H 0.36±0.007* 0.34±0.005* 0.34±0.003* Left testis mass (g/100g BW) N 0.35±0.01 0.36±0.008 0.39±0.001 H 0.39±0.01* 0.39±0.009* 0.36±0.007* Retro peritoneal fat mass (g/100g BW)Kidney gene expression N 0.50±0.10 0.76±0.05 0.68±0.006 H 0.82±0.06* 0.73±0.06* 0.88±0.006* AT1a N 0.82±0.27 1.28±0.39 0.93±0.10 H 1.80±0.43* 1.33±0.24 1.06±0.15 AGT N 0.85±0.21 1.00±0.11 1.60±0.17 H 1.51±0.24 0.87±0.10 0.96±0.23* HSD11β2 N 1.03±0.43 1.03±0.11 0.97±0.16 H 1.65±0.28* 1.33±0.22 1.11±0.18 difference between groups (N vs. H) ‐p≤0.05. Number of animals: F1 (N=9;H=6), F2 (N=12;H=19) and F3 (N=11;H=16). AT1a=angiotensin II receptor 1a; AGT=angiotensinogen.